"Exploring Global Perspectives" offers an immersive experience where students can expand their global awareness, discover study abroad opportunities, and engage with fellow students from diverse cultural backgrounds. It provides a platform to connect with international scholars, hear inspiring stories of global impact, and explore ways to actively contribute to positive change in their communities and beyond.
Additionally, students from various fields will find immense value in the conference, as it offers a space for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. By exploring global perspectives, professionals and students can enhance their intercultural communication skills, foster global partnerships, and gain fresh insights into international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
With 3 concurrent sessions, 16 different presentation topics, and a unique expo hall, there is a place for everyone. This is an event that celebrates the richness of diversity, encourages dialogue, and promotes cross-cultural understanding. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, empowering individuals to embrace global perspectives and become catalysts for positive change in our interconnected world.
Additionally, students from various fields will find immense value in the conference, as it offers a space for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. By exploring global perspectives, professionals and students can enhance their intercultural communication skills, foster global partnerships, and gain fresh insights into international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
With 3 concurrent sessions, 16 different presentation topics, and a unique expo hall, there is a place for everyone. This is an event that celebrates the richness of diversity, encourages dialogue, and promotes cross-cultural understanding. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, empowering individuals to embrace global perspectives and become catalysts for positive change in our interconnected world.
Speakers
We are extremely excited to showcase a lineup of incredible speakers consisting of Lenoir-Rhyne faculty, staff, and students, as well as guest presenters speaking on a wide variety of international education topics.
Brittany Marinelli '17
Director of international education
Concurrent Session #3: Fundraising for Your Education Abroad Experience
Makenzie Saenger
study abroad coordinator & international student specialist
Concurrent Session #1: Social Media Posts vs. the Real Study Abroad Experience
Eric Brandon
director of international & special projects
Lunch & Learn: CPT/OPT for F-1 Students
Devin Osborne '24
Global studies ambassador
Concurrent Session #1: You Can Afford to Study Abroad
Lynn Van Staalduinen '24
Global studies ambassador
Concurrent Session #3: Getting Involved in International Education on Campus
Klaus Steinmann
Graduate assistant, international education
Lunch & Learn: Getting Involved On Campus
Kyle Bivens
area coordinator and coordinator of student life
Concurrent Session #2: Cultural Autopilot & Culture Shock ; Concurrent Session #3: Diversity Abroad Panel Discussion
Dawn Behrend
instruction and outreach librarian & Licensed Psychological Associate
Concurrent Session #3: Health & Wellness Abroad
Matthew Borlik
regional director at ceacapa
Concurrent Session #1: A Beginners Guide to Traveling ; Concurrent Session #2: Leveraging Your Study Abroad Experience
Alyssa Stewart
Assistant registrar
Concurrent Session #1: Cultural Superpowers and the Long- Lasting Impact of Study Abroad
Jake Graffagnino
COORDINATOR OF PEER-LEARNING ASSISTANCE AND ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Concurrent Session #2: When You Get Home: Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock
Katie Wohlman
DIRECTOR OF CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Concurrent Session #2: Leveraging Your Study Abroad Experience
You don't wanna miss out.
Registration is open until 10am the day of the conference. All students will receive a canvas tote bag and a certificate of participation. Register by September 15th to be considered an 'early bird' registrant and receive a free t-shirt!
Schedule
| 9:00 am
Conference Registration & Check-in - Rhyne Building Lobby
Continental breakfast will be provided from 9:00am - 10:00am.
| 10:00 am
Concurrent Session #1
Participants will select one of the following sessions to attend. Descriptions of sessions are listed below.
- A Beginners Guide to Traveling
- Cultural Superpowers: The Long-Lasting Impact of Study Abroad
- Social Media Posts vs. the Real Study Abroad Experience
- You Can Afford to Study Abroad
| 11:00 am
Concurrent Session #2
Participants will select one of the following sessions to attend. Descriptions of sessions are listed below.
- Leveraging Your Study Abroad Experience
- When You Get Home - Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock
- Cultural Autopilot & Culture Shock Abroad
- Studying Abroad as an Athlete (panel discussion)
| 12:00 pm
Lunch/Roundtables
Participants will be provided with a free lunch complementary of the Lenoir-Rhyne Dining Services and the Shuford Center for International Education. Also at lunch will be a series of roundtables showcasing a variety of topics that participants can choose to sit down for a lunch and learn.
- Getting Involved on Campus
- CPT/OPT Information Session for F-1 Students
- Studying Abroad as a Graduate Student
| 1:30 pm
Concurrent Session #3
Participants will select one of the following sessions to attend. Descriptions of sessions are listed below.
- Health and Wellness Abroad
- Diversity & Identity Abroad (panel discussion)
- Fundraising for Your Education Abroad Experience
- Getting Involved in International Education on Campus
| 2:30 pm
Closing Announcement & Expo Hall
Participants will join the SCIE staff for a closing announcement, followed by an Expo Hall displaying various areas related to international education, such as Student Interest Groups (SIGs), culture and food, study abroad opportunities, and more.
Concurrent Session Descriptions
Concurrent Session #1
- A Beginners Guide to Traveling: Traveling for beginners is exhilarating and just a little intimidating. What should you pack? How much money should you budget? How do you decide on a destination? This session is for all students thinking about traveling abroad for the first time.
- Cultural Superpowers: The Long-Lasting Impact of Study Abroad: Study abroad is a High Impact Practice (HIP) – meaning it brings opportunities for growth during an intense period. When you study abroad, you develop a long list of transferable skills that will help you thrive in life and in your future career. Attend this session to learn about the top 10 cultural superpowers and how they will positively impact your life.
- Social Media Posts vs. the Real Study Abroad Experience: Don’t expect your experience to only be like the social-media posts of your friends who have been abroad (or of those famous influencers)! Social media amplifies the best aspects of someone’s life and hides the difficult parts. But, these difficult and challenging experiences turn into the best parts. Attend this session to hear about some of the highs and lows of studying abroad.
- You Can Afford to Study Abroad: Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding and impactful experiences you can have as a student. If you’re like many students, you’ve considered study abroad, but due to what you’ve heard or read, you may have already decided that you can’t afford to do so. Thousands of students have felt the same but were able to fund their study abroad experience through scholarships, grants, fundraising, and other forms of financial aid. So, before you rule out study abroad because of the cost, explore the various ways you can make this priceless experience a reality!
Concurrent Session #2
- Leveraging Your Study Abroad Experience: Your study abroad experiences stick with you even after you have finished your studies abroad. These experiences can alter your career goals, your understanding of your skills, and your level of knowledge about an industry. Many employers view studying abroad as beneficial. It is up to you to be able to effectively articulate how you have grown, personally and professionally, because of your study abroad experience. Join the Shuford Center for International Education and the Alex Lee Center for Career & Professional Development for a discussion about how to leverage your international experience.
- Cultural Autopilot & Culture Shock: Rich Kurtzman describes culture as, “what we do around here, now.” When you immerse yourself in a new culture, you are going to experience culture shock and so many cultural incidents that are going to send you on an upward spiral of emotional ups and downs. Attend this session if you want to learn how to prepare for the lows so that you can enjoy them and learn from them.
- Diversity & Identity Abroad: Identities are intersectional, and you may soon incorporate “study abroad” as one more aspect of your identity. The Shuford Center for International Education (SCIE) is a proud member of Diversity Abroad and has a shared mission to provide equitable access to global opportunities for students. Join the SCIE for a panel discussion and hear from students who identify as a high financial need student, first-generation, LGBTQIA+, person of color, and student-athletes. These students will share their international experiences and will provide helpful resources.
- When You Get Home - Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock: Calling all college students who've embarked on enriching study abroad experiences! This conference session is tailored to address a common yet often underestimated challenge: reverse culture shock. As you return to familiar grounds after an eye-opening journey abroad, you may find yourself navigating a maze of conflicting emotions, unexpected adjustments, and a renewed sense of self. Whether you're curious about preparing for your return or already navigating the waves of reverse culture shock, this session promises to equip you with valuable insights, practical tools, and a supportive community to turn this transition into an opportunity for continued exploration and self-discovery.
Concurrent Session #3
- Health and Wellness Abroad: By its very nature, traveling takes you out of your normal, day-to-day routine. Such a disruption can potentially threaten your health and wellness. If you’re in a different time zone, then your circadian rhythm needs to readjust (jet lag is no joke!). In a new setting, it is important that you attend to your physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. What coping strategies work best for you, and how can you implement them while abroad? Join this session to learn more about managing your health & wellness abroad!
- Studying Abroad as an Athlete: Being a student-athlete comes with additional responsibilities and time commitments, but it does not mean that you can’t study abroad! Attend this session to hear first-hand from LR athletes how studying abroad was doable for them and how it can be for you, too!
- Fundraising for Your Education Abroad Experience: In addition to financial aid and study abroad scholarships, fundraising can be a great way to obtain extra money to pay for your program expenses. By attending this session, you’ll learn how to organize a fundraiser, will learn about platforms such as FundMyTravel, and will leave with the necessary tools to launch a successful campaign!
- Getting Involved in International Education on Campus: International education is more than studying abroad. There are many ways to engage in cross-cultural interactions right here on campus! Join us for this session to connect with international students, Global Village Residents, and International Peer Advisor/Leaders (IPALs) and learn how you can become part of one or more of these communities.
Conference Location
Rhyne Building
Lenoir-Rhyne University
625 7th Ave NE Hickory, NC 28601
Lenoir-Rhyne University
625 7th Ave NE Hickory, NC 28601